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Use of contaminated well water, example reference biospheres 1 and 2A
P Santucci1, B Kontic, P Coughtrey
1Institut de Radioprotection et Surete Nucleaire, France. pascal.santucci@irsn.fr
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
|July 12, 2005
Summary
The BIOMASS programme developed practical guidance using four Example Reference Biospheres. These examples demonstrate the Reference Biosphere Methodology
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiological Protection
- Nuclear Safety
Background:
- The BIOMASS programme's Theme 1 focused on developing practical guidance for biosphere modelling.
- Scenarios were evaluated to support the creation of user-friendly tools for environmental assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and document Example Reference Biospheres (ERBs) demonstrating the Reference Biosphere Methodology.
- To showcase the practicality and transparency of the methodology for environmental radiation assessments.
Main Methods:
- Development of four fully documented Example Reference Biospheres.
- Detailed recording of assumptions, data, and models used in each ERB.
- Evaluation of scenarios to inform practical guidance.
Main Results:
- Successful creation of four ERBs, illustrating the Reference Biosphere Methodology.
- Demonstration of transparency and traceability in biosphere modelling.
- Identification of varying applicability of ERBs for generic versus specific assessments.
Conclusions:
- The Reference Biosphere Methodology, as demonstrated by the ERBs, offers practical and transparent tools for environmental assessments.
- Users are responsible for proper documentation and justification when applying the methodology.
- The applicability of ERBs depends on their complexity and the specific assessment context, with simpler models like ERB1A being more broadly applicable.